Trunk

Hey, all. I've been lurking for 5 years or so and finally picked up an '02 ES300 with 37,081 miles. Less than 500 miles later, I got a CEL. Bummer! It wound up being an air fuel sensor, so it was an easy fix. I wanted to post my experience on here, because I had a hard time finding information specific to this problem on the 2002 ES300.

So, it was a P0031 code, which the scanner said was a Bank 1, Sensor 1 fault. Out of curiosity, I reset the code, and it came back about 10 seconds later. So, I began my search for a replacement sensor. I found an online ad for the O2 sensor that listed compatibility with the 2002-2003 ES300, but it didn't say which bank's pre-cat sensor it was. The part number was 89467-33050.

I called the Lexus dealer. The parts guy wouldn't look the part up to see if it was in stock. He said I had to come in with my VIN number to check his stock. So... I bought the sensor at my local Toyota dealer (Crestmont), who confirmed that they had it in stock (as a Camry, Bank 1, Sensor 1). I think it came out to $248 with tax. I needed the sensor, because I was going on a trip the following day. Otherwise, I could have saved ~$100.

The install went relatively smoothly. I did it from under the car, like I read on the forums. I'd say if you are comfortable changing your oil, give this a shot. Follow the exhaust from the cat to the manifold, and you'll see the sensor facing rearward.

My sensor was in there pretty tight, and the heat shield made it a little difficult to get the crescent wrench on there (I really should buy an o2 wrench). After it broke loose, it was still quite difficult to turn. I've never experienced that before with an o2 sensor. As it turned out, the sensor threads were very dry looking. The replacement sensor comes with a ton of anti-seize on the threads and went in just fine.

One note, I don't think the part number is an exact match for the '02 ES300 Bank 1, Sensor 1. The pigtail was 2-3" longer than the old sensor. I can't read the part number on the old sensor. It's discolored and smudged. So far, it's working great. I've put about 200 miles on since the install, and no CEL.

Timothyj

02 with 37000 miles? car must be like new. i have a 04 with 90000 miles, has a few dings and dents, but runs and drives like new. Sounds like you know what your doing on working on this car. Only part I replaced on mine is the alternator. Great cars, have fun.

Tim

Trunk

Thanks, Tim. So far, so good. The sensor is no biggie.

I bought it from a lady that lives in my grandfather's retirement community. It came with a binder of service invoices from Lexus, too. From what I can tell, it has most options, except for navigation. Even for 37,000, I was surprised at the great condition of the undercarriage. It definitely did not see much driving in the rain and snow. At worst, it's "dusty."

It drives like a baby LS, at least the 1996 that I drive occasionally. My wife has a '96 4Runner with 199,xxx on it, and the LS has 200,xxx. I'm hoping for similar results with this one.

Next up is troubleshooting the trunk light (fuse and bulb are good, need to bust out the multimeter), aiming the headlights higher (cutoff hits the ground 2-3 car lengths out) and figuring out how to tighten up the subwoofer bass.

MrShim78

Hi Trunk,

i was wondering what kind of mileage you are getting with a new sensor..? if you track that sort of thing.
I am doing a pet project to see what my mileage is out of my 1997 ES300, same car basically. I'd like to compare results with others on the forum, while everyone's mpg is different there should be a basic range it all falls in... i havent broken 20mpg yet..always stuck at 18/19 or below. i know people here get over 20mpg !

Trunk

I only drove with the CEL for about 25 miles, so it's hard to say if the CEL condition had any affect on my gas mileage. Since purchasing the car, I was getting a consistent 22mpg (according to my receipts and the dash display). I drive about 40 miles per day of highway driving (60-80mph) and about 20 miles a week of suburban driving.

I did a 150 mile trip right after doing the new sensor. I'm curious to see if there has been any change. I'll post what my gas mileage is on my next fill-up.

Trunk

So, I ran my car down until the light went on. I think my display said that my range was 5 mi. I "filled up", but realized when I got home that I only got 12 gallons. Definitely not a full tank. I didn't notice at the pump since it cost over $50 (gas was $.10 more per gallon at this station).

I will come back and post my mpg in ~330 miles.

MrShim78

Thanks Trunk, i'll check back here after you post. I am still getting a consistent 19mpg. maybe cause i am in toronto and its -20 here! lol

03 ES

good job doing the replacement yourself....you saved yourself about 200 bucks in dealership/shop labor.
most parts for the 4ES cross over into the toyota parts catalog, so if you have the part number its never a bad idea to call a toyota dealer first since parts are usually cheaper through a toyota dealer.
let us know about your MPG.
i'm getting 24.2 in my 03 ES300 with 107k miles.

Trunk

Well, I filled up this morning. I don't remember the exact numbers (receipt's in the car), but it was 330 something miles in about 15 gallons. It wound up being a little over 22 mpg. I'm fine with that. I typically drive with the climate control on Auto and the A/C turns on automatically.

I think it would increase dramatically if I slowed down a couple mph. I'm seeing 13mpg on the readout at times on the interstate.

KS13

You're lucky to be getting that good mileage. I drive about 60 miles mostly highway (Monday thru Friday) and I get around 19mpg and around 16-17mpg in the city on my 02 Lexus ES with 121K miles. When I fill up the tank (and I usually overfill it with like $4 more worth of gas) the display on the dash says 245 miles range. And I use 93 Shell V-Power gasoline only too. I used the STP complete fuel cleaner stuff on my last tank fillup so maybe it'll help.

Also I just changed the engine air filter (which was incredibly dirty) so I'm hoping for an improvement, if not I'll get the Mass AirFlow Sensor cleaned or, if need be replaced.

goldy629

I have a code P2241 oxygen sensor for a es300 2003
For that year how many are there and should I change all of them
thanks